Javon Solomon OLB/EDGE Troy | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Javon Solomon OLB/EDGE Troy
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: EDGE OLB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 04/21/2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.72 seconds (41%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: EDGE OLB | |
| Last Updated: 04/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2024 | |
| 40 time: 4.72 seconds (41%*) | |
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
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| Overall Rating: | 83.2 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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79% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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74% |
| Pass Rush: |
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88% |
| Run Defense: |
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77% |
| Coverage: |
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68% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
4th
Overall Rank:
#109
Position rank:
#7
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| College Games: 52 College Snaps: 2028 | ||
ESPN RATING: 76/100
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247 RATING: 77/100
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Nick Herbig - Wisconsin |
|
78% |
| DeAngelo Malone - Western Kentucky |
|
66% |
| Darrian Beavers - Cincinnati |
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66% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Javon Solomon, hailing from Tallahassee, Florida, made his mark at Troy University as a relentless EDGE rusher. A standout at Godby High School, Solomon transitioned from a two-star recruit to a cornerstone of the Trojans' defense. Throughout his collegiate career, Solomon tallied impressive stats, culminating in 33 career sacks and 49.5 tackles for loss. His senior season was particularly noteworthy as he led the FBS with 16 sacks, securing a spot on the All-Sun Belt First Team for the second time, alongside earning an All-America Honorable Mention by Pro Football Network in 2021.Despite facing setbacks, including injuries that sidelined him during crucial preseason periods, his resilience and work ethic propelled him to break Troy and Sun Belt records. His exceptional performance in 2023, where he not only topped the sack leaderboard but also ranked ninth with 18 tackles for loss.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Remarkable acceleration off the line from a two-point stance, demonstrating swift and effective pass-rush moves.
- Exhibits a versatile array of pass-rush techniques, including a cross chop and hand swipe, coupled with an ability to counter offensive tactics post-engagement.
- Utilizes exceptional leverage and bend to navigate past blockers and apply pressure on quarterbacks.
- His frame and core strength contribute to his formidable presence against blocks, making it difficult for opponents to sustain engagement.
- Demonstrates instinctive play with a knack for stringing together a series of effective moves and counters against offensive linemen.
- Outstanding production in sacks and tackles for loss, highlighting his impact on games over a three-year period.
- Shows potential as a designated pass rusher with a high ceiling for contributing on known passing downs.
- Proven track record of disruptive play, with an FBS-leading sack count and significant tackles for loss.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- At 6'0¾", his height is considered short for the NFL edge position, potentially limiting his effectiveness against taller offensive linemen.
- Struggles with consistency when facing off against larger and stronger opponents, leading to challenges in maintaining edge containment.
- Exhibits a tendency to get overwhelmed by size, with instances of being pushed inside by down blocks, indicating a need for improvement in run defense.
- His initial burst can be impacted by a shorter stride, possibly affecting his speed off the line against quicker offensive tackles.
- Despite his skills, Solomon can find it challenging to disengage from long-armed tackles who can effectively neutralize his rush.
Scouting Report: Summary
In the NFL Draft landscape, Javon Solomon emerges as an EDGE prospect with a compelling skill set underscored by elite pass rush productivity and a high motor. His tape showcases explosive first-step quickness and an advanced repertoire of pass-rush moves, including effective hand fighting and the ability to bend the edge with some serious leverage. Despite his suboptimal size for traditional edge defenders, Solomon's tape is littered with plays that demonstrate his ability to disrupt the backfield, evidencing his high football IQ and relentless pursuit.The concerns about Solomon's transition to the NFL primarily revolve around his ability to set the edge against the run and handle blocks from NFL-caliber offensive tackles. His lack of ideal length and bulk may lead to him being washed out in run defense at the next level. Nevertheless, Solomon's exceptional use of leverage and his arsenal of counter moves allow him to overcome bigger blockers on passing downs, suggesting his initial role may be as a third-down pass rush specialist. Teams employing a wide-9 scheme or those looking for a versatile linebacker who can rush the passer might find his skill set particularly enticing.
Solomon's path to becoming a full-time starter in the NFL hinges on his capacity to bulk up without sacrificing his explosiveness and to refine his technique against the run. His ceiling as a rotational edge rusher with the potential to develop into a starting outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense is within reach, given his proven track record of quarterback pressures and ability to create negative plays.
Javon Solomon percentiles vs other Outside Linebackers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Javon Solomon (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
128.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
14.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.